Thursday, July 23, 2015

Agön Storhamn

A weather system with heavier winds and heavy rain approached. We wanted to sail a bit and still be in time in a good sheltered place for the night. We selected Agön. The wind rotated so that in the late evening it blew in directly from the bay entry and it was still quite calm waters in the bay, some lulling though. Storhamn bay has two higher hills on both sides of it and the crew was tempted to row the dinghy and to row to the land. It was good we decided not to do that as the heavy rain started quite soon. However, note to myself, the schedule should allow some toying around with the dinghy as it would be a good way to entertain the crew. 

In the morning the wind was all gone and we continued to next stop before High Coast, Skatan. I described my evening in Skatan, or actually very small and well protected anchoring bay on the entry to Skatan, in this earlier post



Good going!

Agön has a nice pier too.

We picked an other one of the SXK buyos.


To the Norland's Coast

These clouds made us expect change of weather.

Exter sailed like on rails, if the metaphor can be used for a boat...


Hints of different landscape.

After good long day of sailing we arrived at Skärsön, very nice small fishing
harbor with great fish restaurant.

I got busy in Skärskön too...

Great selection of water birds...

I wanted to stay on the deck till late night but had to make sure the crew goes sleeping.


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Perch

My friendly neighbor went fishing and brought me some fresh perch. I have never before gotten fresh fish and this was really exciting! I decided to eat it boiled. Thank you for the fishes!

This is something new...

Let's check it out!

Now, what to do? Eat it or cook it? 

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Good bye to the South!

From Grisslehamn we took a casual short afternoon sailing to Öregrund where we filled our pantries and did some laundry to prepare for Norland's coast. It feels to us that Öregrund is clearly the last stop of more Southern territory and northwards from there it feels very much like back to home in North. Also, this was the last day of the heat wave and tomorrow when arriving at Skärsön we would be covered by winter wool stuff. 




Väddö canal from South to North




There is a reason why that warning sign tells you not to go beyond the point
it indicates. That is the bridge does not open upward but it turns to its side,
specifically this side...

Local young cattle enjoying refreshing canal water.

This second bridge opens upwards. 

After passing the canal we landed at picturesque Grisslehamn.

Sunset of super-hot day. A lot of swimming by crew in the marina.

Birthday Bubbles


Yesterday I spent my 4th birthday - this means that I am now full-grown Siberian cat. 

Actually, I was super busy on the deck with all the birds around and also had a long walk on the pier with the captain. So I let the crew take care of the celebrations. Also, the previous night was very active as I hunted the mosquitos that sneaked into my vessel... I can tell you that the sleeping crew is really good mosquito bait ;-)

...

We have now sailed to the East side of the Quark, that is we are back to Finland. The bigger Summer sailing is over as the crew needs to return to their non-nautical daily duties. I will continue publishing retrospective posts about our way from Stockholm archipelago to High Coast and back to Finland. And of course the sailing season continues with smaller sailings up to mid October...

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Lovely lagoons Part 3 - Lidön Östhamn




This was the tightest anchoring we had ever done. It went well!

Path entry invites to follow to the bakery and restaurant
on the other side of island.


Lovely lagoons Part 2 - Tistronskären

The day we sailed from Rånöhamn to Lidön, that is effectively almost passing the Stockholm archipelago, was super hot. The first mate stated that the crew employment rule is that it is not allowed to sail full day in this kind of temperature without two hours swimming and lunch break. That we did. We sailed past Möja island and anchored in Tistronskär lagun that is kind of last stop before long  outer archipelago leg until the main fairway the Sweden / Finland ferries are using. Could it be lovelier thing than a nice swim from the boat aft in a place like this? At least for the first mate who is swimming enthusiast not many... Also, it is worth noticing that Möja has fishing harbor and is the place where Solsidan's Fredde motored to buy "free range" salmon as Mickan requested in her effort of selecting the most ecologic ingredients for the lunch with her friends.

After this leg we were happy to the distance we had sailed so far and next couple of days were more relaxed with shorter legs. Also, we started to look at suitable weather window for taking the next longer step, that is over Gävle Bukten.









Our good old scruffy genoa has worked like wonders.
Möja.





Sunday, July 12, 2015

Lovely lagoons Part 1 - Rånöhamn


From Harstena we sailed past Landsort and did not park in Nynäshamn but a nice bay in the same area. At this point the weather started to get very warm so the crew was excited to get swimming.

In tight anchoring space there is a lot to look after...

Radar can be used to measure the distance to other vessels.


But all was well and we were ready...

... to welcome the July moon.



Company at the sea on our way to Landsort

There was no wind at all when we started at Harstena.

Couple of seals observed our going.

A tanker...

... and an other one.

Birds yet unidentified.

And here are Landsort lighthouses!